Chef

Busy Bees Nurseries Ltd.; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; Hybrid; GBP 18,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free lunch

Parking

Cycle to Work scheme

28 days holiday

Job summary

Busy Bees Nurseries Ltd. are seeking a Chef to join our kitchen team in the UK, crafting nutritious meals for young children within an Ofsted-rated nursery setting.

You will contribute to children’s growth and wellbeing while gaining valuable catering experience in the early years sector. You’ll work in a supportive environment, using our Bee Curious curriculum as a framework to foster curiosity and healthy eating habits among the children, with opportunities for professional development and

Qualifications

• Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or above) is required.
• Experience in catering or kitchen operations.
• Empathy and understanding – each child is unique.

Responsibilities

• Prepare healthy, nutritious meals that meet dietary needs.
• Oversee kitchen operations ensuring food safety and hygiene compliance.
• Manage kitchen staff and collaborate with regulatory bodies during inspections.
• Maintain kitchen inventory and efficiently manage purchasing.

Skills

Catering experience

Empathy

Education

Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or above)

Job description

Join Our Team at Busy Bees – Leading Nursery Group in the UK

Are you passionate about cooking and providing nutritious meals for young children? As a Chef at Busy Bees, you’ll be a key part of our kitchen team, preparing healthy meals that support children's growth and development. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a nurturing environment where you will contribute to the wellbeing of children while gaining valuable experience in catering within the early years sector.

About Us

Busy Bees is the UK's leading nursery group, with nearly 400 nurseries across the UK and more overseas. We are dedicated to giving every child the best start in life and are proud to have won awards for our workplace culture. At Busy Bees, we ensure that every member of our team feels heard, valued, and nurtured.

Why Work at Busy Bees?

We offer a supportive environment that empowers you to create engaging, educational spaces where children can thrive. As part of our team, you’ll be introduced to our unique Bee Curious curriculum, designed to foster curiosity and confidence in young learners.

Our Charitable Commitment

Through our partnership with BBC Children in Need, we offer fantastic opportunities for community involvement and fundraising to support children's lives.

About our Nursery

Join our enthusiastic team at Busy Bees in Stratford Court, an Ofsted-rated Good facility with a capacity of 100 children. Our longstanding staff is dedicated to providing children with the best start in life. Located near Solihull town centre and within walking distance of Shirley, we offer excellent local bus links, with the nearest stop just a minute's walk away. The train station is also within a 10‑minute drive, providing convenient access to central Birmingham. Staff members enjoy free lunch and parking, and we offer access to the Smart Spending APP, HIVE, to help manage expenses effectively. This is a fantastic opportunity to further your career in a supportive and vibrant environment.

Busy Bees Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Ongoing professional development and career progression
• Our ‘Hive’ benefits and wellbeing hub, with discounts across a huge range of retailers
• Up to 28 days holiday per year (including bank holidays)
• Your birthday off – it’s our gift to you!
• 25% childcare discount
• Enhanced family leave and return to work bonus
• Menopause support through Peppy
• Financial support through Salary Finance
• Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Easy access to your workplace pension through Cushon
• Discounted Private Medical Insurance (PMI)

But wait, there’s more! You'll also enjoy access to our Benefits and Wellbeing platform, Hive - offering huge array huge of retail discounts helping your money to go further, along with a Wellbeing Hub featuring resources to support your physical and mental health. A Celebrating You section showcasing the ways we recognise and reward our valued team members. Plus, a dedicated Grow with Us area sharing the exciting development opportunities and training designed to support you to thrive and grow at Busy Bees.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare healthy, nutritious meals that meet dietary needs.
• Oversee kitchen operations ensuring food safety and hygiene compliance.
• Manage kitchen staff and collaborate with regulatory bodies during inspections.
• Maintain kitchen inventory and efficiently manage purchasing.

Ideal Candidate:

• Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or above).
• Experience in catering or kitchen operations.
• Empathy and understanding – each child is unique.